Day 2 | 45th Annual Bankruptcy Institute

MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 2023

8:55 Welcome and Introductions

9:00 Chapter 5 Actions and Bankruptcy Litigation

Robert A. Cox Jr., Hamilton Stephens Steele + Martin PLLC, Charlotte
James C. "Jim" Lanik, Waldrep Wall Babcock & Bailey PLLC, Winston-Salem
Michael J. Parrish, Ward and Smith PA, New Bern

Complex and important litigation frequently arises in bankruptcy cases. Such litigation is often brought by bankruptcy trustees and debtors-in-possession using the special statutory powers that the Bankruptcy Code provides. This panel shares an overview of current developments in bankruptcy litigation in North Carolina's three federal districts.

10:16 Bankruptcy Administrator Update

Shelley K. Abel, U.S. Bankruptcy Administrator for the Western District of NC, Charlotte
Brian C. Behr, U.S. Bankruptcy Administrator for the Eastern District of NC, Raleigh
William P. Miller, U.S. Bankruptcy Administrator for the Middle District of NC, Greensboro

The United States Bankruptcy Administrator's office plays a vital role in the oversight of bankruptcy cases in North Carolina. Our state's three bankruptcy administrators explain how their offices manage bankruptcies and detail the BA's role in recent important bankruptcy cases.

11:15 Break

11:25 The Emergence of Subchapter V

Samantha K. Brumbaugh, Ivey McClellan Siegmund Brumbaugh & McDonough LLP, Greensboro
Ciara L. Rogers, Waldrep Wall Babcock & Bailey PLLC, Raleigh

With the recent increase in its availability, debtors have increasingly turned to the small business bankruptcy provisions of Subchapter V of the Bankruptcy Code. In this session, two experienced business bankruptcy practitioners discuss the increasing use of Subchapter V in bankruptcy reorganizations.

12:27 Lunch Break

12:57 North Carolina Hemp and Cannabis Law

Tyler J. Russell, Ward and Smith PA, Raleigh

This session provides an overview of the regulatory framework for the growth and processing of hemp and cannabis in North Carolina and the legal and economic challenges that industry participants face.

1:54 Break

2:04 Breakout Sessions:

Business Track: Business Bankruptcy Hot Topics

Jarret P. Hitchings, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP, Charlotte
Jill C. Walters, Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz PC, Durham

In this session, experts in business bankruptcies discuss hot and emerging topics in corporate bankruptcy practice.

Consumer Track: Dealing With Home Equity in Consumer Cases

Jeremy Harn, The Offices of John T. Orcutt, Raleigh
Neil D. Jonas, Office of the Chapter 13 Trustee, Charlotte

The recent fluctuation in home prices has created special issues in consumer bankruptcy cases. Hear discussion on how bankruptcy courts across districts have attempted to address those issues.

3:04 Breakout Sessions:

Business Track: State Court Receiverships

Anna S. Gorman, Grier Wright Martinez PA, Charlotte
Margaret R. Westbrook, K&L Gates LLP, Raleigh

Recent changes to North Carolina's receivership law have made state court receiverships an increasingly viable alternative to bankruptcies. Panelists discuss their experience in navigating state court receiverships and when receivership may be a viable alternative to bankruptcy.

Consumer Track: Consumer Bankruptcy Hot Topics

Heather W. Culp, Essex Richards PA, Charlotte
Brandi L. Richardson, Brandi L. Richardson, Attorney at Law, Reidsville

In this session, seasoned consumer bankruptcy practitioners discuss hot and emerging topics in bankruptcy cases brought by individuals.

4:05 Adjourn for the Day

TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2023

8:55 Announcements

9:00 Bankruptcy Issues That Arise in State Court

Ashley A. Edwards, Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP, Charlotte
Christopher J. Waivers, White & Allen PA, New Bern

Bankruptcies are administered in federal courts, but bankruptcies often impact state court proceedings. The panelists identify bankruptcy-related issues that often arise in state court and how to deal with those issues.

10:01 Managing Privilege Issues in Bankruptcy^*

Jennifer B. Lyday, Waldrep Wall Babcock & Bailey PLLC, Winston-Salem
Kathleen M. O'Malley, Stevens Martin Vaughn & Tadych PLLC, Raleigh

This session addresses the unique privilege issues that arise in counseling clients contemplating bankruptcy and subsequently arise in bankruptcy cases and related bankruptcy litigation.

11:00 Break

11:10 Technology Tips and Tricks^‡

Damon T. Duncan, Duncan Law LLP, Greensboro

The speaker provides a multitude of technology tips and tricks to assist the busy bankruptcy practitioner.

12:12 Adjourn

* Indicates portion providing Ethics/Professional Responsibility credit
‡ Indicates portion providing Technology Training credit

Thank you

Thank you for joining us for 45th Annual Bankruptcy Institute.

Description

This year's Bankruptcy Institute features a wide array of current and developing issues facing North Carolina bankruptcy practitioners.

Contributors

Shelley K. Abel

Shelley K. Abel is U.S. Bankruptcy Administrator for the Western District of NC in Charlotte. She is a North Carolina State Bar board-certified specialist in bankruptcy law.

Shelley earned her A.B. in History and Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law.

Click here for more information about Shelley.
Brian C. Behr

Brian C. Behr is U.S. Bankruptcy Administrator for the Eastern District of NC in Raleigh. He is a North Carolina State Bar board certified specialist in business and consumer bankruptcy law and a North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission certified superior court mediator.

Brian earned his B.A. in Political Science and International Politics from North Carolina State University and his J.D. from The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law.

Click here for more information about Brian.
Samantha K. Brumbaugh

Samantha K. Brumbaugh is a partner at Ivey McClellan Siegmund Brumbaugh & McDonough LLP in Greensboro. She splits her time 50/50 between the Greensboro and Eden offices. She practices in the areas of domestic law, litigation and bankruptcy/restructuring.

Sam is a member of the North Carolina and Rockingham County Bar Associations and the American Bankruptcy Institute.

Sam earned her B.A. in Political Science and Sociology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and her J.D. from Florida Coastal School of Law.

Click here for more information about Sam.
Donald R. Buie

Donald R. Buie is in private practice with The Law Office of Donald R. Buie in Winston-Salem. He concentrates his practice in the areas of serious auto accidents, wrongful death, and personal injury. He also does work in the areas of consumer bankruptcy, DWI / traffic, wills, estates and civil litigation.

Donald has been practicing in Winston-Salem since 1981. He has experience in litigation before all levels of the state courts of North Carolina, Civil and Criminal. He is admitted to practice in the Middle and Western Districts of the United States District Court. He regularly practices in The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of North Carolina.

Donaled earned his A.A. from Wingate College, his B.A. in Political Science from Elon College and J.D. North Carolina Central University in Durham.

Click here for more information about Donald.
Robert A. Cox Jr.

Robert A. Cox Jr. is a member of Hamilton Stephens Steele + Martin PLLC in Charlotte. He brings over twenty years of experience in the legal areas of restructuring, bankruptcy, and insolvency. He is board certified as a specialist in the area of Business Bankruptcy Law. As part of HSSM's Bankruptcy, Restructuring + Creditors' Rights practice group, he focuses on assisting companies (big and small) in out of court work outs, restructurings, and, to the extent necessary, Chapter 11 bankruptcy filings. He also represents creditors, distressed asset acquirers, and other parties in interest in bankruptcy and insolvency related matters.

Robert is active in the Bankruptcy Section of the North Carolina Bar Association, having served as the Chair of the section from 2011-12, and is currently the co-chair of the Business Subcommittee. He is also committed to pro bono and community service, serving on the board of Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy, as a "Champion" for driver's license restoration in the Charlotte Pro Bono Triage project, and on the board of Arts+, a 50 year old non-profit organization focused on providing arts education to students of all ages, skill levels, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Robert earned his B.A. in History from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his J.D. from Wake Forest University School of Law.

Click here for more information about Robert.
Heather W. Culp

Heather W. Culp is a partner at Essex Richards PA in Charlotte. She founded the firm's bankruptcy practice in 2014. Her caseload involves bankruptcy, insolvency and other debtor/creditor relations, and commercial litigation.

Heather is a member of the Panel of Chapter 7 Trustees for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of North Carolina. She serves as a substitute trustee in commercial foreclosures in the greater Charlotte metropolitan area; as a receiver in state court cases; and as attorney for receivers. She is panel counsel for Lawyers Mutual of North Carolina, representing and advising insureds facing professional liability in consumer bankruptcy cases.

Heather is licensed to practice in Kentucky (inactive status) as well as North Carolina. A reliable volunteer with bar associations and pro bono agencies, she is Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees for the North Carolina State Bar Plan for Interest on Lawyers' Trust Accounts (IOLTA) and recipient of the North Carolina Bar Association Bankruptcy Section 2020 Pro Bono Award. She is a past president of the Mecklenburg County Bar (2017-2018) and has served on the NCBA Board of Governors (2015-2018) and the North Carolina Bar Foundation Board of Directors (2015-2018; 2019-2022).

Heather graduated with a B.A., cum laude, with departmental honors, in English literature from Miami University (Oxford, OH) and earned her J.D. from the University of Kentucky College of Law.

Click here for more information about Heather.
Damon T. Duncan

Damon T. Duncan is a bankruptcy and workers' compensation attorney at Duncan Law LLP in Greensboro. Duncan Law LLP has offices located across the state in Charlotte, Greensboro, Winston-Salem and Salisbury.

In addition to practicing in the areas of bankruptcy and workers compensation, Damon has served as the chair of the Law Practice Management & Technology section of the North Carolina Bar Association, secretary of the Greensboro Bar Association and has been named as a "Rising Star" and "Business Elite" in North Carolina.

Damon is also a part of the adjunct faculty at Elon University School of Law. He teaches a class during the winter term covering law practice management.

Damon earned his B.A. in Communications (Corporate emphasis) from Elon University and his J.D. from Elon University School of Law.

Click here for more information about Damon.
Ashley A. Edwards

Ashley A. Edwards is a partner with Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP in Charlotte. She serves as the practice leader for Parker Poe's Financial Restructuring & Insolvency Group. She has successfully represented creditors in all aspects of commercial debt collection and loss mitigation, including loan restructuring, bankruptcy, litigation, and post-judgment execution. Her clients include Fortune 500 companies, national, regional, and community banks, nontraditional lenders, finance companies, lessors, and manufacturers.

Ashley is admitted to practice before all U.S. Bankruptcy and District Courts in North Carolina and Georgia as well as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

Ashley also advises and represents clients from various industries in the purchase and sale of assets under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code, Chapter 11 plan confirmation, and the assumption and rejection of contracts. In particular, she has extensive experience defending national companies against preference and fraudulent transfer actions in a wide variety of jurisdictions. She is board certified in business bankruptcy by the American Board of Certification (ABC).

Prior to joining Parker Poe, Ashley clerked for the Honorable J. Craig Whitley of the United States Bankruptcy Court, Western District of North Carolina.

Ashley was named as one of the 40 Under 40 Business Leaders in 2022 by the Charlotte Business Journal. Additionally, she is a member of Parker Poe's Pro Bono Committee and averages more than 80 hours of pro bono service each year. She focuses her pro bono work with North Carolina's Guardian ad Litem program, through which she represents abused and neglected children. For this work, she was recognized by the North Carolina Pro Bono Honor Society in 2019, 2020, and 2022.

Ashley earned her B.A., cum laude, in Economics and Spanishg from Wake Forest University and her J.D. from Emory University.

Click here for more information about Ashley.
Anna S. Gorman

Anna S. Gorman is a staff attorney at Grier Wright Martinez PA in Charlotte. She primarily practices in the areas of bankruptcy and workouts for troubled businesses and individuals associated with those businesses. She also regularly represents bankruptcy trustees as well as state and federally appointed receivers.

Anna earned her B.S. in Business Administration, with a concentration in Finance and Marketing, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her J.D. from Campbell University Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law.

Click here for more information about Anna.
Jeremy Harn

Jeremy Harn is an associate attorney at the Law Offices of John T. Orcutt PC in Fayetteville. He has represented clients in Chapter 7 and 13 bankruptcy, Fair Credit Reporting Act litigation and bankruptcy related consumer rights cases.

He is a member of the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA) and the National Association of Consumer Advocates (NACA).

Jeremy earned his B.A. in Political Science, with distinction, from the University of North Carolina at Asheville and J.D., cum laude, from Campbell University School of Law.

Click here for more information about Jeremy.
Jarret P. Hitchings

Jarret P. Hitchings is a restructuring attorney at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP in Charlotte. He is a member of the firm's Corporate and Finance Transactions Department specializing in restructuring, insolvency and special situations. In particular, Jarret's practice focuses on distressed asset litigation, including federal bankruptcy and state court liquidation proceedings. He is active in matters across the county and internationally on behalf of debtors, creditors, fiduciaries, and foreign representatives in the United States.

Prior to joining the firm, Jarret was a litigation and restructuring partner in the Delaware office of another large international law firm. He is a member of the INSOL International and a member of Class X of the International Insolvency Institute's NextGen Leadership Program.

Jarret earned his B.A. in International Relations and Affairs from Penn State University and his J.D., magna cum laude, from Villanova University School of Law.

Click here for more information about Jarret.
Neil D. Jonas

Neil D. Jonas is the staff attorney for the Chapter 13 Trustee in Charlotte. Prior to his current position, Neil accumulated nearly 10 years of experience representing mortgage lenders in consumer bankruptcy cases. Neil has also represented bankruptcy trustees as well as both creditors and debtors in Chapter 11 reorganization cases.

Neil is an active member of the North Carolina Bar Association, Bankruptcy Section. In addition, he is a frequent lecturer on bankruptcy topics.

Neil received his B.A. from the University of North Carolina in and his J.D. from Wake Forest School of Law.

Click here for more information about Neil.
James C. "Jim" Lanik

James C. "Jim" Lanik is a partner at Waldrep Wall Babcock & Bailey PLLC in Winston-Salem. Prior to joining the firm, he was a partner at Waldrep LLP and an associate and then member at Roberson, Haworth & Reese PLLC focusing on business bankruptcy and municipal law.

Jim is Board Certified in Business Bankruptcy Law by the North Carolina State Bar and by the American Board of Certification. He has represented trustees, creditors, and debtors in all aspects of business bankruptcy cases. Jim is currently on the panel of Chapter 7 Trustees for the Middle District of North Carolina. Jim acts as a receiver in state court matters in addition to his Chapter 7 trustee practice.

Jim is also the Town Attorney for Midway, North Carolina, a small town in northern Davidson County which was incorporated in 2006.

Jim earned his B.A. from Lawrence University of Wisconsin and his J.D. from University of Denver College of Law.

Click here for more information about Jim.
Jennifer B. Lyday

Jennifer B. Lyday is a partner at Waldrep Wall Babcock & Bailey PLLC in Winston-Salem, and the firm's human resources partner. She has represented secured creditors, distressed businesses, unsecured creditors' committees, and trustees in business bankruptcy cases. She has also represented buyers and sellers of assets in bankruptcy and has counseled clients in complex civil litigation.

Prior to joining the firm, Jennifer was a partner at Waldrep LLP and an associate at Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice LLP, focusing on corporate Chapter 11 representations and related state court debtor-creditor representations.

Jennifer is currently on the panel of subchapter V chapter 11 trustees for the Middle District of North Carolina. She is a member of the North Carolina Bar Association, the Turnaround Management Association, the American Bankruptcy Institute (for which she serves as a Fourth Circuit Volo author), and the International Women's Insolvency & Reorganization Confederation Carolinas Network, for which she serves as Communications Chair. In addition, she has been recognized for 7 years as a North Carolina Super Lawyers Rising Star in Business Bankruptcy and is ranked in Chambers USA in Bankruptcy/Restructuring in North Carolina in Band 3.

Jennifer earned her B.A. in Political Science and Spanish from Wake Forest University and her J.D. from William & Mary School of Law.

Click here for more information about Jennifer.
Lance P. Martin

Lance P. Martin is an attorney with Ward and Smith PA in Asheville. He represents creditors in bankruptcy, collections, foreclosures, Uniform Commercial Code security agreement enforcement, and structured liquidations and workouts. He also represents clients in drafting and negotiating a wide variety of contracts, loans, and workout agreements.

Lance is certified by the American Board of Certification and the North Carolina State Bar as a Board Certified Specialist in Business Bankruptcy Law. He litigates at all levels of state and federal court, with an emphasis on commercial and corporate fraud, fraudulent transfers, unfair and deceptive trade practices, floor-plan financing, lender liability, factoring, and lease arrangements. He also serves as a Chapter 11 Subchapter V Trustee for the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of North Carolina.

Lance earned his B.S., summa cum laude, in History and Political Science from Spring Hill College and his J.D., magna cum laude, from Tulane University Law School.

Click here for more information about Lance
William P. "Bill" Miller

William P. "Bill" Miller is U.S. Bankruptcy Administrator for the Middle District of NC in Greensboro. As Bankruptcy Administrator, he leads the U.S. Bankruptcy Administrator Program (USBA), an agency of the Judiciary, in the Middle District of NC.

Prior to, Bill was a managing member of the High Point law firm of Roberson Haworth & Reese. His practice concentrated in the areas of bankruptcy law, commercial real property and municipal law.

Bill earned his A.B. in Public Policy Studies from Duke University and his J.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Click here for more information about Bill.
Kathleen M. O'Malley

Kathleen M. O'Malley is an associate at Stevens Martin Vaughn & Tadych PLLC in Raleigh. She focuses her practice on bankruptcy and bankruptcy litigation, as well as appellate advocacy. She represents bankruptcy clients primarily in Chapter 11 and Chapter 7 bankruptcies, as well as related debtor/creditor litigation, and has represented clients in appeals in both the state and federal courts.

Kathleen was selected as a North Carolina Rising Star by Super Lawyers in the field of business bankruptcy from 2020-2023.

Kathleen is a member of the North Carolina Bar Association bankruptcy and appellate practice sections, the New Hanover County Bar Association, the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys, the American Bankruptcy Institute, the North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys, and the International Women's Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation where she serves as secretary on the board of the Carolinas Chapter.

Kathleen is an alumna of St. John's University in Jamaica, NY, where she earned a B.S. in Biology. She worked as a paralegal in both New York and North Carolina, working the fields of real estate, civil litigation, and elder law, prior to attending Campbell University School of Law. She graduated, cum laude, from Campbell University School of Law. After graduating, she clerked for the Honorable Linda Stephens, Judge on the North Carolina Court of Appeals.

Click here for more information about Kathleen.
Stephanie Osborne

Stephanie Osborne is a partner at Northen Blue LLP in Chapel Hill. She is an experienced bankruptcy attorney who represents commercial debtors in Chapter 7 and Chapter 11 proceedings and individual debtors in Chapter 7, Chapter 13, and Chapter 11 proceedings. Her practice also includes bankruptcy litigation and representation of creditors and creditors' committees in bankruptcy proceedings. She also provides workout representation outside of bankruptcy court and assists in collection work.

Stephanie served as law clerk to the Honorable A. Thomas Small of the Eastern District of North Carolina, Bankruptcy Court from 2000 to 2002. She also was an instructor for North Carolina Wesleyan in 2001, North Carolina A&T State University in 2000, and Forsyth Technical Community College in 1999.

Stephanie is a volunteer with the Middle District of North Carolina Bankruptcy Court's pro bono program.

Stephanie earned her B.A. and M.A. from the University of Kentucky and her J.D. from Wake Forest University.

Click here for more information about Stephanie.
Michael J. Parrish

Michael J. Parrish is a member of Ward and Smith PA in New Bern. He is a civil litigator with a diverse practice before various federal and state courts, including bankruptcy courts and the North Carolina Business Court. He has significant experience at all stages of litigation in cases involving a broad range of commercial, organizational and business, contract, landlord-tenant, collections, trusts and estates, tax, and bankruptcy issues. Michael also frequently handles appellate matters in those areas. He finds creative strategies to assist his clients in pursuing their goals through the court system and alternative means for dispute resolution.

Michael is a member of the Eastern North Carolina Inn of Court, North Carolina Bar Association and the Federal Bar Association.

Michael earned his B.A. from the The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his J.D., magna cum laude, from Wake Forest School of Law.

Click here for more information about Michael.
Brandi L. Richardson

Brandi L. Richardson is a bankruptcy lawyer at Brandi L. Richardson Attorney at Law in Reidsville. Her specialties are bankruptcy and debtor/creditor law. She has worked primarily as a Consumer Bankruptcy Attorney since August 2008. In 2014, she expanded her practice and began representing clients in matters involving juvenile law, real estate, estate planning and administration, Creditor's rights/debt collection, Social Security Disability, traffic offenses, adoptions, small business formations, and civil litigation.

Brandi received her B.A., summa cum laude, from Averett University and her J.D., magna cum laude, from North Carolina Central University School of Law in 2008.

Click here for more information about Brandi.
Ciara L. Rogers

Ciara L. Rogers is a partner at Waldrep Wall Babcock & Bailey PLLC in Raleigh. Her practice focuses on Debtors' and Creditors' Rights, Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Representing Chapter 11 and Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Trustees, serving as a Subchapter-V Trustee, General Litigation, and Employment Law.

Before joining Waldrep Wall Babcock & Bailey, PLLC, Ciara was an attorney with the Law Offices of Oliver & Cheek. Prior to that, she was a law clerk to the Honorable J. Rich Leonard and the Honorable Randy D. Doub of the Eastern District of North Carolina, Bankruptcy Court. During law school, she interned with the Bankruptcy Administrator's Office in the Eastern District of North Carolina.

In 2018, Ciara was selected as the director of the Stubbs Bankruptcy Clinic at Campbell University School of Law. In that capacity, she supervises second– and third-year law students in providing pro bono bankruptcy representation to low wealth individuals in the Eastern District of North Carolina. She has also taught the foundations of bankruptcy law course at Campbell University School of Law and speaks at conferences on various bankruptcy related topics.

Ciara is a member of the North Carolina and Virginia State Bars and the North Carolina Bar Association. She is also certified as a specialist in business bankruptcy by the North Carolina State Bar.

Ciara earned dual B.S degrees in History and Political Science from Averett University and her J.D. from North Carolina Central University School of Law.

Click here for more information about Ciara.
Tyler J. Russell

Tyler J. Russell is an attorney with Ward and Smith PA in Raleigh. He began his career in 2010 in the firm's creditors rights practice group, representing banks and lenders in commercial bankruptcy, collection, and lender liability defense litigation. HIs current practice also includes transactional representation of business clients in mergers, acquisitions and other corporate matters.

Tyler co-chairs the firm's hemp + cannabis practice group, is licensed to practice law in North Carolina and Virginia, and represents clients in all aspects of the hemp, CBD, and cannabis industries. He regularly provides advice and counsel to his clients on Federal, state and local legal and regulatory matters and represents clients in a variety of corporate transactions. He is actively engaged in state-level lobbying in support of the industries, their companies, and their products.

Tyler also represents other highly regulated business, including breweries, distilleries, and wineries, in their legal and regulatory needs, including their permitting and compliance enforcement interactions with governmental and regulatory agencies.

Tyler earned his B.A. from Virginia Military Institute and his J. D., summa cum laude, from North Carolina Central University School of Law.

Click here for more informaton about Tyler.
George F. Sanderson III

George F. Sanderson III is the principal at The Sanderson Law Firm PLLC in Raleigh. For 20 years, George has advised individuals and companies on a wide array of business bankruptcy and business litigation matters. He was a partner in one of the top boutique law firms in North Carolina and has been associated with two other nationally recognized law firms. He has appeared in courts and arbitration tribunals in North Carolina and throughout the country.
George's bankruptcy experience includes representing debtors, creditors, officers, directors, and trustees in numerous corporate Chapter 11 and 7 bankruptcies. He has counseled clients on restructurings, loan workouts, asset purchases and sales, lease assumptions and rejections, preferences, fraudulent transfers, vendor claims, officer and director liability, and lender liability issues.
George's litigation experience includes disputes involving corporate lending, corporate control, receiverships, foreclosures, unfair and deceptive trade practices, covenants not to compete, antitrust, securities, liens, and real estate appraisal and other asset valuation issues.
George earned his A.B., magna cum laude, from Georgetown University and his J.D. from New York University School of Law.
Click here for more information about George.
Lisa P. Sumner

Lisa P. Sumner is a member at Nexsen Pruet LLC in Raleigh. She is a commercial litigator focusing her practice in the areas of bankruptcy & creditors' rights. She is experienced in representing creditors in a variety of cases, including claims of lender liability, fraudulent transfers and breach of fiduciary duty, as well as in the filing of involuntary bankruptcy petitions. She also advises lawyers on how to avoid or defend against legal malpractice claims related to bankruptcy practice, as well as advises clients regarding asset purchases from a receivership or bankruptcy estate.

Lisa is recognized as a Leading Attorney by Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Bankruptcy/Restructuring. She is President of the Turnaround Management Association, Carolinas Chapter and council member of the Bankruptcy Section of the North Carolina Bar Association.

Lisa earned her B.A. in Political Science and French from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her J.D. from Duke University School of Law.

Click here for more informaton about Lisa.
Christopher J. Waivers

Christopher J. Waivers is an associate at White & Allen PA in New Bern. He practices in the areas of civil litigation and bankruptcy.

Chris is a member of the Craven County Bar Association President (2019-20; Vice President 2018-19), North Carolina Bar Association (Bankruptcy Section, Co-Chair of Consumer Committee 2018-19) and North Carolina Guardian Ad Litem Program, Pro Bono Appellate Counsel.

Chris earned his degree, magna cum laude, in Finance from from East Carolina University and his J.D., cum laude, from Campbell Law School. While at Campbell, he was an Articles Editor on the Campbell Law Review, a member of the moot court team, and the recipient of book awards – which are awarded each semester for the highest grade in a particular class – for Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Business Organizations, and Administrative Law. During law school, Chris also completed internships at the North Carolina Court of Appeals, the Wake County Trial Court Administrator's Office, and the United States Attorney's Office.

Click here for more information about Chris.
Jill C. Walters

Jill C. Walters is a shareholder Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz PC in Durham, as part of their Corporate Restructuring & Bankruptcy group.

Jill has more than 15 years of versatile experience representing and counseling clients in the corporate insolvency, distressed lending, and restructuring and bankruptcy contexts including in complex Chapter 11 cases. Her clients include secured and unsecured creditors and creditor's committees in reorganizations and liquidations nationwide as well as purchasers and sellers of debt and assets in foreclosure sales, Article 9 sales, and Chapter 11 363 sales. She also has significant bankruptcy litigation experience centered on the prosecution and defense of preference actions, fraudulent transfers, and dischargeability contests – including significant student loan litigation experience.

Jill's bankruptcy experience is broad and spans multiple sectors including health care, agriculture, education, transportation, hospitality, retail, and manufacturing. She serves in a leadership capacity for several professional organizations including the International Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation (IWIRC), the National Democratic Institute (NDI), and the North Carolina Bar Association. She is also active in her local community serving on the boards of various non-profits.

Jill earned her B.A. from Lake Forest College and her J.D. from Michigan State University.

Click here for more information about Jill.
Margaret R. Westbrook

Margaret R. Westbrook is a partner in the Raleigh office of K&L Gates LLP. She represents clients in a variety of insolvency matters across the country. She currently serves as the U.S. practice group coordinator for the Firm's Restructuring and Insolvency Practice Group.

Margaret is a member of the Board of the American Bankruptcy Law Journal and the President of Carolinas Chapter of the Turnaround Management Association. She is the immediate past Chair of the North Carolina Bankruptcy Section Council. She is recognized for her work on behalf of her clients and the bankruptcy bar in Chambers USA, Best Lawyers in America and as a Fellow in the American College of Bankruptcy.

Margaret is a member of the American College of Bankruptcy, North Carolina Bar Association, Turnaround Management Association and the Wake County Bar Association.

Margaret received her B.A. in Public Policy and History from the University of North Carolina and her J.D., with honors, from the University of North Carolina School of Law.

Click here for more information about Margaret.

Thank you

Description

Contributors

Shelley K. Abel

Brian C. Behr

Samantha K. Brumbaugh

Donald R. Buie

Robert A. Cox Jr.

Heather W. Culp

Damon T. Duncan

Ashley A. Edwards

Anna S. Gorman

Jeremy Harn

Jarret P. Hitchings

Neil D. Jonas

James C. "Jim" Lanik

Jennifer B. Lyday

Lance P. Martin

William P. "Bill" Miller

Kathleen M. O'Malley

Stephanie Osborne

Michael J. Parrish

Brandi L. Richardson

Ciara L. Rogers

Tyler J. Russell

George F. Sanderson III

Lisa P. Sumner

Christopher J. Waivers

Jill C. Walters

Margaret R. Westbrook